This 1891 photograph of a refinery shows Petrolia's industrial growth as oil production was approaching its peak. By 1897, there were 8,000 wells being operated in Petrolia by 600 different proprietors. One oilman, Martin Woodward, speaking to the Royal Commission on the Mineral Resources of Ontario, described his refining operation during this period:
Our refinery employs seventeen men, about 6 or 7 being skilled men, distillers and treaters. The general wages are from $8 to $15 a week. Treaters get from $2 to $2.50 a day, distillers $10 a week and yardmen $8. We use about 75,000 barrels of crude a year.
The population during this period climbed to 5,000. New schools were planned as were water works, a power system, sewers, business district, homes and hotels. However, the transfer of the industrial centre from Petrolia to Sarnia after 1898 caused all these projects to be put in abeyance and a sharp decline in production after 1910 ultimately crushed Petrolia's hopes.
